Route information transmission system, route information transmission device, route information terminal, route information transmission method, and route information transmission program

ABSTRACT

A route information transmission system, method and medium that acquire information for transferring a first travel route, on which a terminal device provides guidance, to an in-vehicle device as a second travel route on the basis of information pertaining to the first travel route, and transmit the acquired information.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/069,486 filedMar. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of priority of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2015-052145 filed on Mar. 16, 2015. The disclosure ofthe prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a takeover information transmission system, atakeover information transmission device, an information terminal, atakeover information transmission method, and a takeover informationtransmission program.

2. Description of Related Art

As one of techniques for causing mutually different devices to provideguidance on a route along which a user moves, there has been suggested asystem including one device and the other device that carries outcommunication with the one device (see, for example, Japanese PatentApplication Publication No. 2012-189438 (JP 2012-189438 A)). In thissystem, in order for the other device to provide guidance on a route onwhich the one device has been providing guidance, route information thatis being utilized in the one device is transmitted to the other device.

However, in JP 2012-189438 A, only route information is simplytransmitted from the one device to the other device, so there is apossibility that the reproducibility of a route on which the one devicehas been providing guidance as a route in the other device decreases.For example, if the version of map information that is used to generatea route is different between the one device and the other device, evenwhen the other device generates a route by using the route informationreceived from the one device, the other device is not able to generatethe same route as the route generated by the one device. For thisreason, there is a possibility that a decrease in the reproducibility ofa route becomes remarkable. Therefore, as for the technique described inJP 2012-189438 A, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint ofthe convenience of a user in providing guidance on corresponding routesby using mutually different devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a takeover information transmission system, atakeover information transmission device, an information terminal, atakeover information transmission method and a takeover informationtransmission program that are able to improve the convenience of a userin providing route guidance by transferring a route on which a firstterminal provides guidance, to a second terminal.

A takeover information transmission system according to the inventionincludes a takeover information acquisition portion configured toacquire takeover information for transferring a route, on which a firstterminal provides guidance, to a second terminal different from thefirst terminal on the basis of route information pertaining to theroute, and a takeover information transmission portion configured totransmit the takeover information acquired by the takeover informationacquisition means.

A takeover information transmission device according to the inventionincludes a takeover information acquisition portion configured toacquire takeover information for transferring a route, on which a firstterminal provides guidance, to a second terminal different from thefirst terminal on the basis of route information pertaining to theroute, and a takeover information transmission portion configured totransmit the takeover information acquired by the takeover informationacquisition means to the second terminal.

An information terminal according to the invention includes a takeoverinformation acquisition portion configured to acquire takeoverinformation for transferring a route, on which the information terminalprovides guidance, to a different information terminal on the basis ofroute information pertaining to the route, and a takeover informationtransmission portion configured to transmit the takeover informationacquired by the takeover information acquisition means to the differentinformation terminal.

A takeover information transmission method according to the inventionincludes acquiring, by a takeover information acquisition portion,takeover information for transferring a route, on which a first terminalprovides guidance, to a second terminal different from the firstterminal on the basis of route information pertaining to the route, andtransmitting, by a takeover information transmission portion, theacquired takeover information.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a takeoverinformation transmission program for causing a computer to executeinstructions. The instructions include acquiring takeover informationfor transferring a route, on which a first terminal provides guidance,to a second terminal different from the first terminal on the basis ofroute information pertaining to the route, and transmitting the acquiredtakeover information.

A takeover information transmission system according to the inventionincludes a first terminal configured to store first map information, seta first route in a map contained in the first map information, andtransmit the first route to an external device; and a second terminalconfigured to store second map information, receive the first route thatis transmitted from the first terminal, set a second route in a mapcontained in second map information, and display the second route,wherein the first terminal is configured to generate takeoverinformation for generating the second route, and transmit the generatedsecond route to an external device, and the second terminal isconfigured to receive the takeover information, and set the second routeon the basis of the first route and the takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission system, the takeoverinformation transmission device, the information terminal, the takeoverinformation transmission method and the takeover informationtransmission program according to the invention, the takeoverinformation for causing the second terminal to provide guidance on aroute corresponding to the above-described route is acquired on thebasis of the route information pertaining to the route on which thefirst terminal provides guidance. Therefore, for example, even when theversions of pieces of map information that are respectively used by thefirst terminal and the second terminal are different from each other, itis possible to transfer the route, on which the first terminal providesguidance, to the second terminal by using the takeover information.Thus, it is possible to improve the convenience of a user for providingguidance on a route.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denotelike elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a terminal device and anin-vehicle device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view that illustrates takeover information;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a takeover information transmission process;

FIG. 4 is a view that shows an example of a first travel route;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a terminal device and anin-vehicle device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a takeover information transmission process;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram that illustrates a terminal device, a centerdevice and an in-vehicle device according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view that illustrates center takeover information;

FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates device information; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a takeover information transmission process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of a takeover information transmission system,takeover information transmission device, information terminal, takeoverinformation transmission method and takeover information transmissionprogram according to the invention will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is notlimited by the embodiments.

The takeover information transmission system according to the inventionis a system to transmit takeover information for transferring a route,on which a first terminal provides guidance, to a second terminal on thebasis of route information pertaining to the route. Examples of theoperation of this takeover information transmission system include thecase where a first terminal acquires takeover information and then thefirst terminal transmits the acquired takeover information to a secondterminal and the case where a device different from a first terminalacquires takeover information and then the different device transmitsthe acquired takeover information to a second terminal.

The first terminal is a device that provides guidance on a route, and isa takeover source device from which a travel route of a vehicle istransferred. The first terminal is specifically a concept including anin-vehicle device, a terminal device, and the like. The travel route isa concept including a route along which the vehicle should travel. Thein-vehicle device is a device that is mounted on the vehicle and isspecifically a concept including an in-vehicle navigation device. Theterminal device is a device on which a predetermined computer is mountedand is specifically a concept including a smartphone and a portablenavigation device.

The second terminal is a device that provides guidance on a routecorresponding to a route on which the first terminal provides guidanceand is a takeover destination device to which a travel route of thevehicle is transferred. The second terminal is specifically a conceptincluding an in-vehicle device, a terminal device, and the like.

The takeover information is information for transferring a route, onwhich the first terminal provides guidance, to the second terminal. Thetakeover information is not the entire information that identifies allthe route on which the first terminal provides guidance but information(that is, information of only part of the above-described informationthat identifies all the route) by which the route is allowed to beidentified (that is, reproduced) even between different models (that is,for example, between the first terminal and the second terminal).Specific information included in the takeover information is anyinformation as long as the information is not the entire informationthat identifies all the route on which the first terminal providesguidance. Examples of the specific information include information thatidentifies a branching guide point, information that identifies anapproach direction to or exit direction from the branching guide point,information that identifies an intersection, information that identifiesan approach direction to or exit direction from the intersection,information that identifies a road type, link identificationinformation, information that identifies a route generation condition,information that identifies the version of map information, and thelike. The details of these pieces of information will be described inthe embodiments. Transmission of takeover information may betransmission of all these pieces of information or transmission of onlypart of these pieces of information. In the case where only part ofthese pieces of information are transmitted, any technique may be usedas a determination method of determining the part of information to betransmitted. Examples of the technique include a technique fordetermining the part of information to be transmitted on the basis ofthe version of map information in the first terminal and the version ofmap information in the second terminal and a technique for determiningthe part of information to be transmitted on the basis of the functionof the first terminal for providing guidance on a route and the functionof the second terminal for providing guidance on a route.

In the first to third embodiments described below, the first terminal isreferred to as takeover source device, the second terminal is referredto as takeover destination device, the route on which the first terminalprovides guidance is referred to as first travel route, the route thatcorresponds to the route on which the first terminal provides guidanceand on which the second terminal provides guidance is referred to assecond travel route, and a generation source device that generates thefirst travel route is referred to as generation source device.Specifically, as for the first to third embodiments, the case wheretakeover information is transmitted in the case where the terminaldevice functions as both the generation source device and the takeoversource device and the in-vehicle device functions as the takeoverdestination device will be described. More specifically, as for thefirst embodiment, the case where the terminal device transmitsinformation that identifies branching guide points, information thatidentifies an approach direction to or exit direction from eachbranching guide point, and information that identifies road types as thetakeover information. More specifically, as for the second embodiment,the case where the terminal device transmits information that identifiesintersections, information that identifies an approach direction to orexit direction from each intersection and information that identifiesroad types as the takeover information will be described. Morespecifically, as for the third embodiment, the case where the centerdevice that is different from the terminal device or the in-vehicledevice transmits information that identifies branching guide points,information that identifies an approach direction to or exit directionfrom each branching guide point and information that identifies roadtypes, or link identification information, as the takeover informationon the basis of the version of map information in the terminal deviceand the version of map information in the in-vehicle device will bedescribed. The remaining pieces of the takeover information, other thanthe pieces of the takeover information that will be described in thefirst to third embodiments and the operation of transmitting thetakeover information on the basis of the function of the first terminalfor providing guidance on a route and the function of the secondterminal for providing guidance on a route will be described inalternative embodiments.

First Embodiment

Initially, the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment,the case where a travel route generated in the terminal device istransferred to the in-vehicle device by using the takeover information,such as information that identifies branching guide points, informationthat identifies an approach direction to or exit direction from eachbranching guide point and information that identifies road types will bemainly described. Instead, a travel route generated in the in-vehicledevice may be transferred to the terminal device by using the takeoverinformation. Hereinafter, the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device ismounted (the vehicle in which a user who operates the in-vehicle deviceis riding) is referred to as host vehicle. The host vehicle is, forexample, a concept including a four-wheeled vehicle, a two-wheeledvehicle, a bicycle, and the like. Hereinafter, the case where the hostvehicle is a four-wheeled vehicle will be described. The functions ofthe in-vehicle device in the takeover information transmission systemare allowed to be obtained through a similar configuration to that of aknown in-vehicle navigation device except a specific portion, so thedescription thereof is omitted.

Configuration

Initially, the configurations of a terminal device 1 and in-vehicledevice 2 that function as a takeover information transmission system 100according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram that illustrates the terminal device and the in-vehicle deviceaccording to the embodiment of the invention.

Configuration—Terminal Device

First, the configuration of the terminal device 1 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 1 is an information terminal or atakeover information transmission device. The terminal device 1 roughlyincludes a communication unit 11, a touch panel 12, a display 13, acurrent position detection unit 14, a data recording unit 15 and acontrol unit 16.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Communication Unit

The communication unit 11 is a communication means that carries outcommunication with the in-vehicle device 2 via a network. Although thespecific type and configuration of the communication unit 11 areselected, for example, a known mobile unit wireless communication meansor near field communication means may be used.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Touch Panel

The touch panel 12 is an operating means that receives the input ofvarious operations from a user as a result of depression with user'sfinger, or the like. The touch panel 12 is transparent or translucent,and is provided so as to be superimposed on the display face of thedisplay 13 on the front face of the display 13. A known touch panelincluding an operating position detection means of a resistance membranetype, an electrostatic capacitance type, or the like, may be used as thetouch panel 10.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Display

The display 13 is a display means that displays various images undercontrol of the control unit 16 (described later). Particularly, thedisplay 13 is a display means that displays a map on the basis of mapinformation stored in a map information database 151 (hereinafter,database is referred to as DB) (described later). The specificconfiguration of the display 13 is selected. For example, a flat paneldisplay, such as a known liquid crystal display and an organic ELdisplay, may be used as the display 13.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Current Position Detection Unit

The current position detection unit 14 is a current position detectionmeans that detects the current position of the terminal device 1. Thecurrent position detection unit 14 includes a GPS or geomagnetism sensor(both are not shown), and detects the current position (coordinates),orientation, and the like, of the terminal device 1 with a known method.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Data Recording Unit

The data recording unit 15 is a recording means that records programsand various data that are required to operate the terminal device 1, andis, for example, formed of a hard disk (not shown) as an externalrecording device. However, instead of the hard disk or in addition tothe hard disk, any other recording medium, including a magneticrecording medium, such as a magnetic disk, or an optical recordingmedium, such as a DVD and a Blu-ray Disc, may be used (this also appliesto a data recording unit 25 (described later), data recording units 35,45 according to the second embodiment and a data recording unit 65according to the third embodiment).

The data recording unit 15 includes the map information DB 151 and atakeover information DB 152.

The map information DB 151 is a map information storage means thatstores map information. The map information is information that isrequired to identify various positions including roads, intersections ofroads, road structures, facilities, and the like. The map information,for example, includes node data (for example, a node ID, coordinates,and the like) pertaining to each of nodes set on roads, link data (forexample, a link ID, a link name, a connection node ID, road coordinates,a road type (for example, a toll road, an ordinary road, an elevatedroad, or the like), the number of lanes, and the like) pertaining toeach of links set on roads, object data (for example, a traffic light, aroad sign, a guard rail, a facility, or the like), terrain data, and thelike.

The takeover information DB 152 is a takeover information storage meansthat stores takeover information. The takeover information isinformation for transferring a first travel route to the in-vehicledevice 2 as a second travel route, and is information includinginformation of only part of the entire information that identifies allthe first travel route. The takeover information is, for example,information that identifies branching guide points, information thatidentifies an approach direction to or exit direction from eachbranching guide point, information that identifies road types, and thelike. The branching guide point is a branching point at which guidanceshould be provided among branching points in the first travel route. Thebranching guide point is specifically a branching point at which thetraveling direction of the host vehicle changes and guidance, such asright turn or left turn, is provided among the branching points in thefirst travel route. The branching point is a point at which a road isbranching in the first travel route. The branching point specificallyincludes an intersection and a point at which a road branches, otherthan an intersection, and includes a point at which one road branchesinto multiple roads in the traveling direction. FIG. 2 is a view thatillustrates takeover information. As shown in FIG. 2, the takeoverinformation is, for example, configured such that the item “POSITION”,the item “APPROACH ROAD” and the item “EXIT ROAD” are associated withpieces of information corresponding to the items. Informationcorresponding to the item “POSITION” is information that identifies theposition of a branching guide point (in FIG. 2, latitude and longitudecoordinates, for example, 34°56′40″, 137°11′45″, and the like). Each ofthe item “APPROACH ROAD” and the item “EXIT ROAD” further includes theitem “ORIENTATION” and the item “TYPE”. Information corresponding to theitem “ORIENTATION” of the item “APPROACH ROAD” is information thatidentifies the orientation (approach direction) in which an approachroad extends to a corresponding branching guide point with reference tothe branching guide point (in FIG. 2, octas, for example, southwest, orthe like). The approach road is a road on which the host vehicle travelsjust before traveling through a branching guide point when the hostvehicle approaches to the branching guide point along a travel route.Information corresponding to the item “TYPE” of the item “APPROACH ROAD”is information that identifies the road type of an approach road (inFIG. 2, for example, ordinary road). The information corresponding tothe item “TYPE” of the item “APPROACH ROAD” may include a toll road, anelevated road, or the like, other than ordinary road in FIG. 2, inresponse to a travel route (the same applies to informationcorresponding to the item “TYPE” of the item “EXIT ROAD” (describedlater)). Information corresponding to the item “ORIENTATION” of the item“EXIT ROAD” is information that identifies the orientation (exitdirection) in which an exit road extends to a corresponding branchingguide point with reference to the branching guide point (in FIG. 2,octas, for example, east, or the like). The exit road is a road on whichthe host vehicle travels just after traveling a branching guide pointwhen the host vehicle exits from the branching guide point along atravel route. Information corresponding to the item “TYPE” of the item“EXIT ROAD” is information that identifies the road type of an exit road(in FIG. 2, for example, ordinary road). Such takeover information inthe takeover information DB 152 is recorded in a takeover informationtransmission process (described later).

Configuration—Terminal Device—Control Unit

Referring back to FIG. 1, the control unit 16 is a control means thatcontrols the terminal device 1. The control unit 16 is specifically acomputer including a CPU, various programs and an internal memory, suchas a RAM. The various programs (including a basic control program, suchas OS, and application programs that are launched on the OS to implementspecific functions) are interpreted on the CPU. The RAM is used to storeprograms and various data. Particularly, the takeover informationtransmission program according to the first embodiment substantiallyconstitutes the units of the control unit 16 when installed in theterminal device 1 via a selected recording medium or network (the sameapplies to a control unit 26, control units 36, 46 according to thesecond embodiment, and control units 56, 66, 76 according to the thirdembodiment).

The control unit 16 functionally conceptually includes a routegeneration unit 161, a takeover information acquisition unit 162 and atakeover information transmission unit 163.

The route generation unit 161 is a route generation means that generatesa first travel route from a departure place to a destination on thebasis of the map information in the map information DB 151 with a knowngeneration technique. The departure place is a point at which thevehicle starts moving. The departure place is, for example, set uponreception of user's predetermined operation via the touch panel 12 orset to a current position detected by the current position detectionunit 14 or a current position detection unit 24 of the in-vehicle device2 (described later). The destination is a point to which the vehiclemoves. The destination is, for example, set upon reception of user'spredetermined operation via the touch panel 12. The takeover informationacquisition unit 162 is a takeover information acquisition means thatacquires takeover information for transferring a first travel route, onwhich the terminal device 1 provides guidance, to the in-vehicle device2 different from the terminal device 1 as a second travel route on thebasis of information pertaining to the first travel route. The takeoverinformation transmission unit 163 is a takeover information transmissionmeans that transmits takeover information acquired by the takeoverinformation acquisition unit 162. Processes that are executed by theseunits of the control unit 16 will be described later.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device

Next, the configuration of the in-vehicle device 2 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 2 is an information terminal or atakeover information transmission device. The in-vehicle device 2roughly includes a communication unit 21, a touch panel 22, a display23, the current position detection unit 24, the data recording unit 25and the control unit 26.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Communication Unit

The communication unit 21 is a communication means that carries outcommunication with the terminal device 1 via a network. The specificconfiguration of the communication unit 21 is similar to theconfiguration of the communication unit 11.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Touch Panel

The touch panel 22 is an operation means that receives the input ofvarious operations from a user. The specific configuration of the touchpanel 22 is similar to the configuration of the touch panel 12.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Display

The display 23 is a display means that displays various images undercontrol of the control unit 26 (described later). The specificconfiguration of the display 23 is similar to the configuration of thedisplay 13.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Current Position Detection Unit

The current position detection unit 24 is a current position detectionmeans that detects the current position of the in-vehicle device 2. Thespecific configuration of the current position detection unit 24 issimilar to the configuration of the current position detection unit 14.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Data Recording Unit

The data recording unit 25 includes a map information DB 251 and atakeover information DB 252. The configuration of each of the pieces ofinformation is similar to the configuration of each of the pieces ofinformation in the data recording unit 15.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Control Unit

Referring back to FIG. 1, the control unit 26 functionally conceptuallyincludes a route generation unit 261, a takeover information acquisitionunit 262 and a takeover information transmission unit 263. Theconfiguration of each of these units is similar to the configuration ofeach of the same-name units of the control unit 16.

Process

Next, the takeover information transmission process that is executed bythe terminal device 1 of the thus configured takeover informationtransmission system 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of thetakeover information transmission process (in the following descriptionof the processes, step is abbreviated as “S”). FIG. 4 is a view thatshows an example of the first travel route. The takeover informationtransmission process is roughly a process of acquiring takeoverinformation and transmitting the acquired takeover information. Thetiming at which the takeover information transmission process isexecuted is any timing after the route generation unit 261 of theterminal device 1 has generated a first travel route. For example, it isassumed that, after the route generation unit 261 of the terminal device1 has generated a first travel route R1, the input of operation totransmit takeover information to the in-vehicle device 2 is performedvia the touch panel 12, and then the takeover information transmissionprocess is executed. The description will be made from when the processis started.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 3, in SA1, the takeover informationacquisition unit 162 of the terminal device 1 acquires the takeoverinformation. Specifically, branching guide points in the first travelroute generated by the route generation unit 261 are identified, thenthe position of each of the identified branching guide points, theorientation of each of the approach road to and exit road from each ofthe identified branching guide points and the road type of each of theapproach road and the exit road of each branching guide point(hereinafter, matters pertaining to each branching guide point) areidentified, and these identified results are acquired as the takeoverinformation. More specifically, in acquiring the takeover information,initially, the takeover information acquisition unit 162 identifies thebranching point closest to the departure place in the first travelroute, and determines whether the identified branching point is abranching guide point. Subsequently, when it is determined that theclosest branching point is a branching guide point, the above-describedmatters pertaining to the branching guide point are identified for thisbranching point, and the identified results are acquired as the takeoverinformation. On the other hand, when it is determined that the closestbranching point is not a branching guide point, matters pertaining tothe branching guide point are not identified for this branching point.These processes are sequentially executed from the departure place sidetoward the destination side until the vehicle reaches the branchingpoint closest to the destination. Any technique may be used as atechnique for identifying branching points, a technique for determiningwhether a branching point is a branching guide point and a technique foridentifying matters pertaining to a branching guide point. For example,a known technique for identification by using link data and node datamay be used. For example, the positions of branching points J1, J2 amongbranching points J1 to J4 in FIG. 4 are identified as the positions ofbranching guide points, the orientation of the approach road to thebranching point J1 is identified as southwest, the orientation of theexit road from the branching point J1 is identified as east, theorientation of the approach road to the branching point J2 is identifiedas west, the orientation of the exit road from the branching point J2 isidentified as northeast, and the road type of each of the approach roadsto the branching points J1, J2 and the road type of each of the exitroads from the branching points J1, J2 are identified as ordinary road.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in SA2, the takeover information acquisitionunit 162 of the terminal device 1 registers the takeover information.Specifically, the takeover information acquired in SA1 is stored in thetakeover information DB 152 for registration. For example, the takeoverinformation shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the takeover information DB 152for registration.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in SA3, the takeover information transmissionunit 163 of the terminal device 1 transmits the takeover information,and the like. Specifically, the takeover information registered in SA2and generation information are transmitted to the in-vehicle device 2via the communication unit 11 shown in FIG. 1. The generationinformation is information for generating a second travel route. Thegeneration information is specifically information that is used togetherwith the takeover information as information for generating the secondtravel route. The generation information, for example, includesinformation that identifies the departure place and destination of thefirst travel route. After SA3, the takeover information transmissionprocess ends.

On the other hand, the in-vehicle device 2 that has received thetakeover information and the generation information, transmitted in SA3,generates the second travel route on the basis of the received thesepieces of information and the map information in the map information DB251, and provides guidance by displaying the generated second travelroute on the display 23. Specifically, in generating the second travelroute, the route generation unit 261 of the in-vehicle device 2 sets thedeparture place and destination that are identified by the generationinformation as the departure place and destination of the second travelroute, and generates the second travel route that reflects the takeoverinformation. Generating the second travel route that reflects thetakeover information is to search for a second travel route such thatcoincidence between each of the road types, the positions of thebranching guide points, the orientations of the approach roads and theorientations of the exit roads, which are identified by the takeoverinformation, and each of the road types, the positions of the branchingguide points, the orientations of the approach roads and theorientations of the exit roads in the second travel route is maximum.For example, the route generation unit 261 of the in-vehicle device 2initially searches for a travel route such that the number of branchingguide points that coincide between the takeover information and a foundtravel route is as large as possible. The branching guide point thatcoincides between the takeover information and the found travel route isa branching guide point at which the position on a map, the orientationof the approach road and the orientation of the exit road all coincidebetween the takeover information and the found travel route.Subsequently, when the number of the found travel routes is only one,the route generation unit 261 sets the only one travel route for thesecond travel route. On the other hand, when the number of the generatedtravel routes is multiple, the route generation unit 261 selects thetravel route by which the number of coincidences between the road typesidentified by each of the plurality of travel routes and the road typesidentified by the takeover information is maximum from among theplurality of travel routes, and sets the selected travel route for thesecond travel route. When there are a plurality of the selected travelroutes, the route generation unit 261 may set only one travel route outof the plurality of selected travel routes for the second travel routeby using a known technique (for example, a technique for searching foronly one route in accordance with a search condition, such as distancepriority or time priority, set by a user). In this way, the secondtravel route is generated while reflecting the takeover information, soit is possible to improve the coincidence between the first travel routeand the second travel route (that is, the reproducibility of the firsttravel route as the second travel route).

Advantageous Effects of First Embodiment

In this way, according to the present embodiment, the takeoverinformation acquisition unit 162 acquires the takeover information forcausing the in-vehicle device 2 to provide guidance on the second travelroute on the basis of the first travel route on which the terminaldevice 1 provides guidance. Therefore, for example, even when theversion of the map information that is used by the terminal device 1differs from the version of the map information that is used by thein-vehicle device 2, it is possible to transfer the first travel routeto the in-vehicle device 2 as the second travel route by using thetakeover information, so it is possible to improve the convenience of auser in providing guidance on a route.

For example, it is possible to reduce the information content of thetakeover information by using the information that identifies branchingguide points as the takeover information, so it is possible to quicklyprovide guidance on the second travel route by shortening a transmissiontime that is taken by the terminal device 1 to transmit the takeoverinformation to the in-vehicle device 2.

For example, by using the information that identifies the orientation inwhich the approach road extends to each branching guide point or theorientation in which the exit road extends from each branching guidepoint as the takeover information, it is possible to reflect theinformation that identifies the orientation in which the approach roadextends to each branching guide point or the orientation in which theexit road extends from each branching guide point. Therefore, it ispossible to improve the reproducibility of the first travel route onwhich the terminal device 1 provides guidance as the second travel routein the in-vehicle device 2.

For example, it is possible to reflect the information that identifiesthe road types by using the information that identifies the road typesas the takeover information, so it is possible to improve thereproducibility of the first travel route on which the terminal device 1provides guidance as the second travel route in the in-vehicle device 2.

Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, thecase where a travel route generated in a terminal device is transferredto an in-vehicle device by using takeover information, such asinformation that identifies intersections, information that identifiesan approach direction to or an exit direction from each intersection andinformation that identifies road types, will be mainly described.Instead, a travel route generated in the in-vehicle device may betransferred to the terminal device by using the takeover information.The configuration of the second embodiment is substantially the same asthe configuration of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.Like reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are wherenecessary assigned to substantially the same components as thecomponents of the first embodiment, and the description thereof isomitted.

Configuration

Initially, the configuration of a terminal device 3 and in-vehicledevice 4 that function as a takeover information transmission system 300according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a blockdiagram that illustrates the terminal device and the in-vehicle deviceaccording to the embodiment of the invention.

Configuration—Terminal Device

First, the configuration of the terminal device 3 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 3 is an information terminal or atakeover information transmission device. The terminal device 3 roughlyincludes the communication unit 11, the touch panel 12, the display 13,the current position detection unit 14, the data recording unit 35 andthe control unit 36.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Data Recording Unit

The data recording unit 35 includes a takeover information DB 352. Thetakeover information DB 352 is a takeover information storage means thatstores takeover information. The takeover information is information fortransferring a first travel route to the in-vehicle device 4 as a secondtravel route, and is information including information of only part ofthe entire information that identifies all the first travel route. Thetakeover information is, for example, information that identifiesintersections, information that identifies an approach direction to oran exit direction from each intersection, information that identifiesroad types, and the like. This takeover information has a similarconfiguration to the takeover information that is stored in the takeoverinformation DB 152 shown in FIG. 1, and is information that containspieces of information corresponding to the items shown in FIG. 2 foreach intersection in a travel route.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Control Unit

Referring back to FIG. 5, the control unit 36 is a control means thatcontrols the terminal device 3, and functionally conceptually includes atakeover information acquisition unit 362 and a takeover informationtransmission unit 363. The takeover information acquisition unit 362 isa takeover information acquisition means that acquires takeoverinformation for transferring a first travel route, on which the terminaldevice 3 provides guidance, to the in-vehicle device 4 different fromthe terminal device 3 as a second travel route on the basis ofinformation pertaining to the first travel route. The takeoverinformation transmission unit 363 is a takeover information transmissionmeans that transmits takeover information acquired by the takeoverinformation acquisition unit 362. Processes that are executed by theseunits of the control unit 36 will be described later.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device

Next, the configuration of the in-vehicle device 4 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 5, the in-vehicle device 4 is an information terminal or atakeover information transmission device. The in-vehicle device 4roughly includes the communication unit 21, the touch panel 22, thedisplay 23, the current position detection unit 24, the data recordingunit 45 and the control unit 46.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Data Recording Unit

The data recording unit 45 includes a takeover information DB 452. Theconfiguration of the takeover information DB 452 is similar to theconfiguration of the takeover information DB 352.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Control Unit

The control unit 46 functionally conceptually includes a takeoverinformation acquisition unit 462 and a takeover information transmissionunit 463. The configuration of each of these units is similar to theconfiguration of each of the units of the control unit 36.

Process

Next, the takeover information transmission process that is executed bythe terminal device 3 of the thus configured takeover informationtransmission system 300 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of thetakeover information transmission process.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 6, in SB1, the takeover informationacquisition unit 362 of the terminal device 3 acquires the takeoverinformation. Specifically, all the intersections in the first travelroute generated by the route generation unit 261 are identified, thenthe position of each of all the identified intersections, theorientation of each of the approach road and the exit road to and fromeach of all the identified intersections and the road type of each ofthe approach road and exit road to or from each intersection(hereinafter, matters pertaining to the intersection) are identified,and these identified results are acquired as the takeover information.More specifically, in acquiring the takeover information, initially, thetakeover information acquisition unit 362 identifies the intersectionclosest to the departure place in the first travel route, identifies theabove-described matters pertaining to the intersection for theidentified intersection, and acquires the identified results as thetakeover information. These processes are sequentially executed from thedeparture place side toward the destination side until the vehiclereaches the branching point closest to the destination. Any techniquemay be used as a technique for identifying intersections. For example, aknown technique for identifying a point at which three or more roads areintersecting as an intersection by using link data and node data may beused. Any technique may be used as a technique for identifying matterspertaining to the intersection. For example, a known technique foridentification by using link data and node data may be used. Forexample, the positions of the branching points J1 to J4 shown in FIG. 4are identified as the positions of intersections, the orientation androad type of each of the approach road and the exit road to and fromeach of the branching points J1 to J4 are identified, and theseidentified results are acquired as the takeover information.

Referring back to FIG. 5, in SB2, the takeover information acquisitionunit 362 of the terminal device 3 executes a similar process to that ofSA2 in FIG. 3. After that, in SB3 in FIG. 5, the takeover informationtransmission unit 363 of the terminal device 3 executes a similarprocess to that of SA3 in FIG. 3.

On the other hand, the in-vehicle device 4 that has received thetakeover information and the generation information transmitted in SB3in FIG. 5, as well as the in-vehicle device 2 shown in FIG. 1, generatesthe second travel route, and performs guidance by displaying thegenerated second travel route on the display 23.

Advantageous Effect of Second Embodiment

In this way, according to the present embodiment, for example, by usingthe information that identifies intersections as the takeoverinformation, it is possible to reflect the information that identifiesthe intersections pertaining to the first travel route along whichguidance is performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve thereproducibility of the first travel route on which the terminal device 3provides guidance as the second travel route in the in-vehicle device 4.

Third Embodiment

Next, the third embodiment will be described. In this third embodiment,the case where a center device acquires takeover information on thebasis of the version of map information of the terminal device and theversion of map information of the in-vehicle device and then the travelroute generated in the terminal device is transferred to the in-vehicledevice by using the acquired takeover information will be mainlydescribed. Instead, the travel route generated in the in-vehicle devicemay be transferred to the terminal device. The configuration of thethird embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of thefirst embodiment unless otherwise specified. Like reference numerals asthose used in the first embodiment are where necessary assigned tosubstantially the same configuration as the configuration of the firstembodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Configuration

Initially, the configurations of a terminal device 5, center device 6and in-vehicle device 7 that function as a takeover informationtransmission system 500 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 7 is a block diagram that illustrates the terminaldevice, the center device and the in-vehicle device according to theembodiment of the invention.

Configuration—Terminal Device

First, the configuration of the terminal device 5 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 5 is an information terminal or atakeover information transmission device. The terminal device 5 roughlyincludes a communication unit 51, the touch panel 12, the display 13,the current position detection unit 14, the data recording unit 15 andthe control unit 56.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Communication Unit

The communication unit 51 is a communication means that carries outcommunication with the center device 6 via a network. The specificconfiguration of the communication unit 51 is similar to theconfiguration of the communication unit 11 shown in FIG. 1.

Configuration—Terminal Device—Control Unit

Referring back to FIG. 7, the control unit 56 functionally conceptuallyincludes a takeover information acquisition unit 562 and a takeoverinformation transmission unit 563. The takeover information acquisitionunit 562 is a takeover information acquisition means that acquirestakeover information for having the in-vehicle device 7 different fromthe terminal device 5 take over a first travel route as a second travelroute on the basis of information pertaining to the first travel routealong which the terminal device 5 performs guidance. The takeoverinformation transmission unit 563 is a takeover information transmissionmeans that transmits takeover information acquired by the takeoverinformation acquisition unit 562. Processes that are executed by theseunits of the control unit 56 will be described later.

Configuration—Center Device

Next, the configuration of the center device 6 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 7, the center device 6 is an information terminal or atakeover information transmission device, and is a device that transmitsinformation to the in-vehicle device 7 (described later). The centerdevice 6 roughly includes a communication unit 61, the data recordingunit 65 and the control unit 66.

Configuration—Center Device—Communication Unit

The communication unit 61 is a communication means that carries outcommunication with the terminal device 5 and the in-vehicle device 7 viaa network. The specific configuration of the communication unit 61 issimilar to the configuration of the communication unit 51.

Configuration—Center Device—Data Recording Unit

The data recording unit 65 includes a takeover information DB 652 and adevice information DB 653.

The takeover information DB 652 is a takeover information storage meansthat stores center takeover information. The center takeover informationis takeover information that is stored in the center device 6, and isinformation for having the in-vehicle device 7 take over a first travelroute as a second travel route. The center takeover information isinformation including information of only part of the entire informationthat identifies all the first travel route. The center takeoverinformation is, for example, information that identifies branching guidepoints, information that identifies an approach direction or exitdirection at each branching guide point, information that identifiesroad types, and information containing link IDs. FIG. 8 is a view thatillustrates the center takeover information. As shown in FIG. 8, thecenter takeover information is configured such that the item “SOURCEDEVICE”, the item “DESTINATION DEVICE”, the item “DEPARTURE PLACE”, theitem “DESTINATION”, the item “POSITION”, the item “APPROACH ROAD”, theitem “EXIT ROAD”, and the item “LINK ID” are associated with pieces ofinformation corresponding to the items. The information corresponding tothe item “SOURCE DEVICE” is the device identification information(hereinafter, device ID) of a generation source device for the firsttravel route (in FIG. 8, for example, UID010, and the like). UID010 inFIG. 8 indicates the device ID of the terminal device 5. UID001indicates the device ID of the in-vehicle device 7. When there can be atakeover destination device or takeover source device other than theseterminal device 5 and in-vehicle device 7, the device ID of such adevice may also be stored. UID002 indicates the device ID of such adevice. The information corresponding to the item “DESTINATION DEVICE”is the device ID of the takeover destination device (in FIG. 8, forexample, UID001, UID002, and the like). The information corresponding tothe item “DEPARTURE PLACE” is information that identifies the departureplace of the first travel route (in FIG. 8, latitude and longitudecoordinates, for example, 34 degrees, 55 minutes and 43 seconds, 137degrees, 11 minutes and 50 seconds, and the like). The informationcorresponding to the item “DESTINATION” is information that identifiesthe destination of the first travel route (in FIG. 8, latitude andlongitude coordinates, for example, 34 degrees, 56 minutes and 40seconds, 137 degrees, 11 minutes and 50 seconds, and the like), Thepieces of information corresponding to the item “POSITION”, the item“APPROACH ROAD” and the item “EXIT ROAD” are similar pieces ofinformation to the pieces of information corresponding to the same-nameitems in FIG. 2. The information corresponding to the item “LINK ID” isall the link IDs corresponding to the first travel route (in FIG. 8, forexample, LID005, LID003, LID002, LID001, LID009, and the like).

Referring back to FIG. 7, the device information DB 653 is a deviceinformation storage device that stores device information. The deviceinformation is information for identifying the terminal device 5 and thein-vehicle device 7 (when there can be a takeover destination device ora takeover source device other than the terminal device 5 and thein-vehicle device 7, such a device is further included, and the sameapplies to the following description). The device information isspecifically information that identifies the version of map informationthat is stored in each of the terminal device 5 and the in-vehicledevice 7. FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates device information. As shownin FIG. 9, the device information is configured such that the item“DEVICE ID” and the item “MAP VERSION” are associated with pieces ofinformation corresponding to the items. The information corresponding tothe item “DEVICE ID” is the device IDs of the terminal device 5 andin-vehicle device 7 (in FIG. 9, for example, UID001, UID002, UID010, andthe like). The information corresponding to the item “MAP VERSION” isinformation that identifies the version of map information stored ineach of the terminal device 5 and the in-vehicle device 7 (in FIG. 9,VER5, and the like). Such pieces of device information in the deviceinformation DB 653 are allowed to be acquired by any method, and are,for example, recorded by reflecting the version of map information thateach of the terminal device 5 and the in-vehicle device 7 transmits tothe center device 6 in response to a version request from the centerdevice 6 at intervals of a predetermined time.

Configuration—Center Device—Control Unit

Referring back to FIG. 7, the control unit 66 functionally conceptuallyincludes a takeover information acquisition unit 662 and a takeoverinformation transmission unit 663. The takeover information acquisitionunit 662 is a takeover information acquisition means that acquirestakeover information for having the in-vehicle device 7 different fromthe terminal device 5 take over a first travel route as a second travelroute on the basis of information pertaining to the first travel routealong which the terminal device 5 performs guidance. The takeoverinformation transmission unit 663 is a takeover information transmissionmeans that transmits takeover information acquired by the takeoverinformation acquisition unit 662.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device

Next, the configuration of the in-vehicle device 7 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 7, the in-vehicle device 7 is an information terminal or atakeover information transmission device. The in-vehicle device 7roughly includes a communication unit 71, the touch panel 22, thedisplay 23, the current position detection unit 24, the data recordingunit 25 and the control unit 76.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Communication Unit

The communication unit 71 is a communication means that carries outcommunication with the center device 6 via a network. The specificconfiguration of the communication unit 71 is similar to theconfiguration of the communication unit 51.

Configuration—In-Vehicle Device—Control Unit

The control unit 76 functionally conceptually includes a routegeneration unit 761. The route generation unit 761 is a route generationmeans that generates a second travel route on the basis of the mapinformation in the map information DB 251 and the takeover informationreceived from the center device 6 with a known generation technique.

Process

Next, the process that is executed by the thus configured takeoverinformation transmission system 500 will be described. The process thatis executed by the takeover information transmission system 500 includesa takeover information transmission process that is executed by theterminal device and a takeover information transmission process that isexecuted by the center device. Hereinafter, these processes will bedescribed.

Process—Takeover Information Transmission Process that is Executed byTerminal Device

The takeover information transmission process that is executed by theterminal device is the process that is executed by the terminal device5. The takeover information transmission process is specifically theprocess in which the terminal device 5 acquires the takeover informationof the first travel route and transmits the acquired takeoverinformation to the center device 6.

In this process, initially, the takeover information acquisition unit562 of the terminal device 5 shown in FIG. 7 acquires takeoverinformation for the first travel route generated by the route generationunit 161. Specifically, in acquiring the takeover information, thetakeover information acquisition unit 562 acquires the device ID of thegeneration source device for the first travel route, the device ID ofthe takeover destination device for the first travel route, theinformation that identifies the departure place and destination of thefirst travel route, and all the link IDs (link identificationinformation) corresponding to the first travel route as the takeoverinformation together with the information that is acquired by thetakeover information acquisition unit 162 shown in FIG. 1. The device IDof the generation source device for the first travel route isinformation for uniquely identifying the device that has generated thefirst travel route, and is information for uniquely identifying theterminal device 5. The device ID of the takeover destination device forthe first travel route is information for uniquely identifying thetakeover destination device that takes over the first travel route. Thedevice ID of the takeover destination device for the first travel routeis specifically information that is set upon reception of user'spredetermined operation via the touch panel 12, and is information foruniquely identifying the in-vehicle device 7.

Subsequently, the takeover information transmission unit 563 of theterminal device 5 transmits the takeover information acquired by thetakeover information acquisition unit 562 to the center device 6 via thecommunication unit 51, and then the takeover information transmissionprocess that is executed by the terminal device ends. On the other hand,the center device 6 that has received the takeover informationtransmitted from the terminal device 5 records the center takeoverinformation shown in FIG. 8, which reflects the received takeoverinformation.

Process—Takeover Information Transmission Process that is Executed byCenter Device

The takeover information transmission process that is executed by thecenter device is the process that is executed by the center device 6.The takeover information transmission process is specifically theprocess in which the center device 6 acquires the takeover informationon the basis of the version of the map information and transmits theacquired takeover information to the in-vehicle device 7. FIG. 10 is aflowchart of the takeover information transmission process that isexecuted by the center device. The timing at which the takeoverinformation transmission process is executed is any timing after thecenter takeover information shown in FIG. 8 has been recorded. Forexample, it is assumed that the takeover information transmissionprocess is started when a takeover information request has been receivedfrom the takeover destination device (the in-vehicle device 7 shown inFIG. 7) via the communication unit 61. The description will be made fromwhen the process is started. The takeover information request is arequest to transmit the takeover information. The takeover informationrequest is specifically a request containing the device ID (UID001) ofthe takeover destination device that is requesting the takeoverinformation.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 10, in SC1, the takeover informationacquisition unit 662 of the center device 6 determines whether thetakeover information corresponding to the takeover information requestis stored. Specifically, by consulting the center takeover informationshown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether the device ID that isidentified by the above-described takeover information request is storedas information corresponding to the item “DESTINATION DEVICE”. When thedevice ID that is identified by the takeover information request isstored, it is determined that the takeover information corresponding tothe takeover information request is stored (YES in SC1), and then theprocess proceeds to SC2. When the device ID that is identified by thetakeover information request is not stored, it is determined that thetakeover information corresponding to the takeover information requestis not stored (NO in SC1), and then the takeover informationtransmission process is ended. When negative determination is made inSC1, a predetermined message may be transmitted to the in-vehicle device7 in order to inform that the takeover information is not stored. Forexample, the device ID contained in the takeover information request isUID001, and the item “DESTINATION DEVICE” in FIG. 8, that is, UID001, isstored, so it is determined that the takeover information is stored.

Referring back to FIG. 10, in SC2, the takeover information acquisitionunit 662 of the center device 6 identifies the generation source devicefor the takeover information determined to be stored in SC1 and thetakeover destination device for the takeover information. Specifically,the device corresponding to the device ID of the item “SOURCE DEVICE” inthe takeover information determined to be stored in SC1 is identified asthe generation source device, and the device corresponding to the deviceID of the item “DESTINATION DEVICE” is identified as the takeoverdestination device. For example, the terminal device 5 corresponding tothe item “SOURCE DEVICE”=UID010 in FIG. 8 is identified as thegeneration source device, and the in-vehicle device 7 corresponding tothe item “DESTINATION DEVICE”=UID001 is identified as the takeoverdestination device.

Referring back to FIG. 10, in SC3, the takeover information acquisitionunit 662 of the center device 6 determines whether the version of thestored map information is the same or different between the generationsource device and the takeover destination device. Specifically, byconsulting the device information shown in FIG. 9, it is determinedwhether the version of the map information corresponding to thegeneration source device identified in SC2 and the version of the mapinformation corresponding to the takeover destination device identifiedin SC2 are the same or different. For example, the item “MAP VERSION”corresponding to the item “DEVICE ID”=UID010 that is the generationsource device is VER5, and the item “MAP VERSION” corresponding to theitem “DEVICE ID”=UID001 that is the takeover destination device is alsoVER5, so it is determined that the versions of these pieces of mapinformation are the same.

Referring back to FIG. 10, in SC4, the takeover information acquisitionunit 662 of the center device 6 acquires the takeover information.Specifically, information contained in the center takeover informationshown in FIG. 8 is acquired as the takeover information on the basis ofthe identified results of SC2 and the determined results of SC3. Morespecifically, in acquiring the takeover information, when it isdetermined in SC3 that the versions of the maps are the same,information corresponding to the item “LINK ID” (hereinafter, link IDinformation) is acquired as the takeover information from among thepieces of information associated with the takeover destination deviceand generation source device identified in SC2 on the assumption that itis possible to generate a second travel route through shape matching(described later). On the other hand, when it is determined in SC3 thatthe versions of the maps are different, information corresponding to theitem “DEPARTURE PLACE”, the item “DESTINATION”, the item “POSITION”, theitem “APPROACH ROAD” and the item “EXIT ROAD” (hereinafter, branchingguide point information) is acquired as the takeover information fromamong the pieces of information associated with the takeover destinationdevice and generation source device identified in SC2 on the assumptionthat it is not possible to generate a second travel route through shapematching (described later). For example, because it is determined thatthe versions of the corresponding pieces of map information are thesame, LID005, LID003, LID002, LID001, LID009 corresponding to the item“LINK ID” are acquired.

Referring back to FIG. 10, in SC5, the takeover information acquisitionunit 662 of the center device 6 transmits the takeover information.Specifically, the takeover information acquired in SC4 is transmitted tothe in-vehicle device 7 via the communication unit 61 shown in FIG. 7.For example, the takeover information that identifies LID005, LID003,LID002, LID001, LID009 is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7.

On the other hand, the in-vehicle device 7 that has received thetakeover information transmitted in SC5 generates the second travelroute on the basis of the received takeover information, and the like,and provides guidance by displaying the generated second travel route onthe display 23. More specifically, in generating the second travelroute, when the link ID information has been received as the takeoverinformation, the second travel route is generated through shapematching; whereas, when the branching guide point information has beenreceived as the takeover information, the second travel route isgenerated by performing a search as in the case of the route generationunit 261 of the in-vehicle device 2 shown in FIG. 1. The shape matchingis a generation technique to generate a travel route without a search.The shape matching is specifically a generation technique to generate atravel route on the basis of the link IDs and the map information in themap information DB 251. More specifically, the shape matching is ageneration technique to generate a travel route by connecting linkscorresponding to link IDs in the map information with each other. Inorder to use the shape matching, the version of the map information inthe generation source device and the version of the map information inthe takeover destination device are required to be the same. Forexample, because the link ID information has been received as thetakeover information, the second travel route is generated through shapematching and displayed.

Advantageous Effects of Third Embodiment

In this way, according to the present embodiment, for example, by usingthe link IDs as the takeover information, it is not required to performa search in order to provide guidance on the second travel route.Therefore, it is possible to quickly reliably reproduce the first travelroute on which the terminal device 5 provides guidance as the secondtravel route in the in-vehicle device 7.

For example, it is possible to use appropriate takeover information onthe basis of whether the version of the map information stored in theterminal device 5 and the version of the map information stored in thein-vehicle device 7 are the same or different, so it is possible toimprove takeover accuracy in the in-vehicle device 7.

Alternative Embodiments to Embodiments

The embodiments according to the invention are described; however,specific configurations and means of the invention may be modified orimproved as needed within the scope of the technical idea of theinvention described in the appended claims. Hereinafter, suchalternative embodiments will be described.

Tasks to be Solved and Advantageous Effects of Invention

Initially, the task to be solved by the invention and the advantageouseffects of the invention are not limited to those of the above-describedembodiments. The task and the advantageous effects may vary depending onan environment in which the invention is implemented or the details ofthe configuration. Only part of the above-described task may be solvedor only part of the above-described advantageous effects may beobtained. For example, even when the convenience of a user in providingroute guidance by the use of the takeover information transmissionsystem according to the invention is a comparable level to that of theexisting system, but when the convenience of a user in providing routeguidance comparable to that of the existing system is provided in astructure different from the existing system, the task of the inventionof the present application is solved.

Distribution and Integration

The above-described electrical components are functionally conceptualones, and are not necessarily required to be physically configured asshown in the drawings. That is, the specific mode of distribution orintegration of the units is not limited to the one shown in thedrawings. All or part of the units may be functionally or physicallydistributed or integrated in any units depending on various loads, usagesituations, and the like. For example, the terminal device 1 may bedistributed to a plurality of devices configured to be communicable witheach other, the takeover information acquisition unit 162 may beprovided in part of these plurality of devices, and the takeoverinformation transmission unit 163 may be provided in another part ofthese plurality of devices.

Shapes, Numeric Values, Structures and Time Sequence

The shapes, numeric values or structures of the plurality of componentsillustrated in the embodiments and the drawings, or the time-sequencecorrelation among the plurality of components may be modified orimproved as needed within the scope of the technical idea of theinvention.

Takeover Information

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where theinformation that identifies the positions of branching guide points orintersections, the orientation in which the approach road to or the exitroad from each branching guide point or each intersection extends andthe road types of roads, or link IDs, are acquired and transmitted asthe takeover information is described; however, the takeover informationis not limited to these pieces of information. For example, in additionto these pieces of information or instead of part of these pieces ofinformation, information as described below may be acquired andtransmitted as the takeover information.

For example, a generation condition to generate the first travel routemay be acquired and transmitted as the takeover information.Specifically, the generation condition to generate the first travelroute that is set upon reception of user's predetermined operation viathe touch panel 12 of the terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1 may beacquired by the takeover information acquisition unit 262, and thetakeover information transmission unit 263 may transmit the generationcondition. The generation condition to generate the first travel routeis a condition to generate a first travel route, and is specifically acondition including a search condition to search for a travel route,such as time priority, ordinary road priority and toll road priority.When configured in this way, it is possible to improve thereproducibility of a first travel route as a second travel route bygenerating a second travel route under a similar generation condition toa generation condition to generate the first travel route.

For example, information that identifies the positions of the startpoint and end point of each of the links of the first travel route orthe node IDs of all the nodes in the first travel route may be acquiredand transmitted as the takeover information.

In the embodiments and alternative embodiments, information of only partof information acquired as the takeover information, informationcombined as needed or the entire information may be acquired andtransmitted as the takeover information.

Technique to Transmit Takeover Information

In the above-described embodiments, the case where all the pieces ofacquired takeover information are transmitted and the case where theacquired takeover information is transmitted on the basis of whether theversions of the pieces of map information are the same or different aredescribed; however, transmission of the acquired takeover information isnot limited to these configurations. For example, the center device 6shown in FIG. 7 may transmit the takeover information on the basis ofthe function of the takeover destination device to provide guidance on atravel route (the function of generating a travel route). Specifically,the item “FUNCTION” is provided in the device information shown in FIG.9, information that identifies the function of each device to generate atravel route (for example, a travel route is allowed to be generatedthrough any of shape matching and searching, or a travel route isallowed to be generated only through shape matching) may be stored asinformation corresponding to the item “FUNCTION”. The informationcorresponding to the item “FUNCTION” may be recorded on the basis of aresponse to a function detail request from each device. The takeoverinformation acquisition unit 662 of the center device 6 may acquireinformation that enables generation of a second travel route in thetakeover destination device from the center takeover information shownin FIG. 8 as the takeover information, and the takeover informationtransmission unit 263 may transmit the takeover information. In thiscase, for example, when the function of the takeover destination deviceallows a travel route to be generated through only shape matching, thelink ID information is acquired and transmitted as the takeoverinformation. When configured in this way, it is possible to acquire andtransmit appropriate takeover information on the basis of the functionof the takeover destination device for providing guidance on a route, soit is possible to improve takeover accuracy.

In the third embodiment, the information that identifies the version ofthe map information stored in the terminal device 5 and the version ofthe map information stored in the in-vehicle device 7 is stored in thedevice information DB 653 of the center device 6. Instead, each of theterminal device 5 and the in-vehicle device 7 may transmit theinformation that identifies the version of the map information stored initself to the center device 6 where necessary.

Takeover Source Device and Takeover Destination Device

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the takeoversource device is the terminal device and the takeover destination deviceis the in-vehicle device is described; however, the invention is notlimited to this configuration. For example, the takeover source devicemay be the in-vehicle device and the takeover destination device may bethe terminal device. Alternatively, the takeover source device and thetakeover destination device may be respectively different terminaldevices or may be respectively different in-vehicle devices.

Generation Source Device

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where thegeneration source device is the terminal device is described; however,the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, thegeneration source device may be the center device 6 shown in FIG. 7. Inthis case, for example, the center device 6 may generate a first travelroute in response to a request from the terminal device 5 shown in FIG.7 and may transmit the generated first travel route to the terminaldevice 5.

In the above-described third embodiment, the case where the in-vehicledevice 7 shown in FIG. 7 generates a second travel route is described;however, the invention is not limited to this configuration. Forexample, the center device 6 may generate a second travel route on thebasis of the takeover information and may transmit the generated secondtravel route to the in-vehicle device 7. By combining this configurationwith the configuration of the generation source device in theabove-described alternative embodiment, the center device 6 may generateboth first and second travel routes and may transmit both the first andsecond travel routes to the corresponding devices.

Part of Features and Advantageous Effects of Embodiments

Lastly, part of the features and advantageous effects of each of theembodiments described above are illustrated as follows. However, thefeatures and advantageous effects of each of the embodiments are notlimited to those described below. Only part of the followingadvantageous effects may be obtained when only part of the followingfeatures are provided, or an advantageous effect other than thefollowing advantageous effects may be obtained when a feature other thanthe following features is provided.

A takeover information transmission system according to one first aspectof an embodiment includes takeover information acquisition means foracquiring takeover information for transferring a route, on which afirst terminal provides guidance, to a second terminal different fromthe first terminal on the basis of route information pertaining to theroute, and takeover information transmission means for transmitting thetakeover information acquired by the takeover information acquisitionmeans.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described first aspect, the takeover information acquisition meansacquires the takeover information for causing the second terminal toprovide guidance on a route corresponding to the route, on which thefirst terminal provides guidance, on the basis of the route informationpertaining to the above-described route. Therefore, for example, evenwhen the versions of pieces of map information that are respectivelyused in the first terminal and the second terminal are different fromeach other, it is possible to transfer the route, on which the firstterminal provides guidance, to the second terminal by using the takeoverinformation, so it is possible to improve the convenience of a user forproviding guidance on a route.

A takeover information transmission system according to a second aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to the above-described first aspect, the takeoverinformation acquisition means acquires information that identifies abranching guide point as the takeover information, the branching guidepoint is a branching point in the route on which the first terminalprovides guidance, and the branching guide point is a branching point atwhich a traveling direction changes.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described second aspect, for example, by using the informationthat identifies the branching guide point as the takeover information,it is possible to reduce the information content of the takeoverinformation, so it is possible to quickly provide guidance on a route byshortening a transmission time that is taken to transmit the takeoverinformation.

A takeover information transmission system according to a third aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to the above-described second aspect, the takeoverinformation acquisition means acquires information that identifies anapproach direction to or an exit direction from the branching guidepoint as the takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described third aspect, for example, by using the information thatidentifies the approach direction to or the exit direction from thebranching guide point as the takeover information, it is possible toreflect the information that identifies the approach direction to or theexit direction from the branching guide point, so it is possible toimprove the reproducibility of the route on which the first terminalprovides guidance as a route in the second terminal.

A takeover information transmission system according to a fourth aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, thetakeover information acquisition means acquires information thatidentifies an intersection in the route on which the first terminalprovides guidance as the takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described fourth aspect, for example, by using the informationthat identifies the intersection as the takeover information, it ispossible to reflect the information that identifies the intersectionpertaining to the route on which the first terminal provides guidance,so it is possible to improve the reproducibility of the route on whichthe first terminal provides guidance as a route in the second terminal.

A takeover information transmission system according to a fifth aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect,the takeover information acquisition means acquires information thatidentifies a road type of the route on which the first terminal providesguidance as the takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described fifth aspect, for example, by using the information thatidentifies the road type as the takeover information, it is possible toreflect the information that identifies the road type, so it is possibleto improve the reproducibility of the route on which the first terminalprovides guidance as a route in the second terminal.

A takeover information transmission system according to a sixth aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, thetakeover information acquisition means acquires link identificationinformation of the route on which the first terminal provides guidanceas the takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described sixth aspect, for example, by using the linkidentification information as the takeover information, it is notrequired to perform a route search in order to provide guidance on aroute, so it is possible to quickly reliably reproduce the route onwhich the first terminal provides guidance as a route in the secondterminal.

A takeover information transmission system according to a seventh aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, thetakeover information acquisition means acquires information thatidentifies a generation condition to generate the route on which thefirst terminal provides guidance as the takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described seventh aspect, for example, by using the informationthat identifies the generation condition to generate the route on whichthe first terminal provides guidance as the takeover information, it ispossible to reflect the generation condition used in the first terminal,so it is possible to improve the reproducibility of the route on whichthe first terminal provides guidance as a route in the second terminal.

A takeover information transmission system according to an eighth aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect,the takeover information acquisition means acquires information thatidentifies a version of map information that is used in the firstterminal as the takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described eighth aspect, for example, by using the informationthat identifies the version of the map information that is used in thefirst terminal as the takeover information, the second terminal isallowed to provide guidance on a route in consideration of the versionof the map information that is used in the first terminal. Therefore, itis possible to provide appropriate guidance corresponding to the versionof the map information, so it is possible to improve guidance accuracy.

A takeover information transmission system according to a ninth aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect,the takeover information acquisition means determines whether a versionof map information that is used in the first terminal and a version ofmap information that is used in the second terminal are the same ordifferent, and acquires the takeover information on the basis of thedetermined results.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described ninth aspect, for example, it is possible to useappropriate takeover information on the basis of whether the versions ofthe pieces of map information used in the first and second terminals arethe same or different, so it is possible to improve takeover accuracy.

A takeover information transmission system according to a tenth aspectof the embodiment is such that, in the takeover information transmissionsystem according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, thetakeover information acquisition means identifies a function of thesecond terminal for providing guidance on a route and acquires thetakeover information on the basis of the identified function.

With the takeover information transmission system according to theabove-described tenth aspect, for example, it is possible to useappropriate takeover information on the basis of the function of thesecond terminal for providing guidance on a route, so it is possible toimprove takeover accuracy.

A takeover information transmission device according to an eleventhaspect of the embodiment includes takeover information acquisition meansfor acquiring takeover information for transferring a route, on which afirst terminal provides guidance, to a second terminal different fromthe first terminal on the basis of route information pertaining to theroute, and takeover information transmission means for transmitting thetakeover information acquired by the takeover information acquisitionmeans to the second terminal.

With the takeover information transmission device according to theeleventh aspect, the takeover information acquisition means acquires thetakeover information for causing the second terminal to provide guidanceon a route corresponding to the route, on which the first terminalprovides guidance, on the basis of the route information pertaining tothe above-described route. Therefore, for example, even when theversions of pieces of map information that are respectively used by thefirst terminal and the second terminal are different from each other, itis possible to transfer the route, on which the first terminal providesguidance, to the second terminal by using the takeover information, soit is possible to improve the convenience of a user for providingguidance on a route.

An information terminal according to a twelfth aspect of the embodimentincludes takeover information acquisition means for acquiring takeoverinformation for transferring a route, on which the information terminalprovides guidance, to a different information terminal on the basis ofroute information pertaining to the route, and takeover informationtransmission means for transmitting the takeover information acquired bythe takeover information acquisition means to the different informationterminal.

With the information terminal according to the twelfth aspect, thetakeover information acquisition means acquires the takeover informationfor causing the second terminal to provide guidance on a routecorresponding to the route, on which the first terminal providesguidance, on the basis of the route information pertaining to theabove-described route. Therefore, for example, even when the versions ofpieces of map information that are respectively used by the firstterminal and the second terminal are different from each other, it ispossible to transfer the route, on which the first terminal providesguidance, to the second terminal by using the takeover information, soit is possible to improve the convenience of a user for providingguidance on a route.

A takeover information transmission method according to a thirteenthaspect of the embodiment includes acquiring, by takeover informationacquisition means, takeover information for transferring a route, onwhich a first terminal provides guidance, to a second terminal differentfrom the first terminal on the basis of route information pertaining tothe route, and transmitting, by takeover information transmission means,the acquired takeover information.

With the takeover information transmission method according to thethirteenth aspect, the takeover information for causing the secondterminal to provide guidance on a route corresponding to the route, onwhich the first terminal provides guidance, is acquired on the basis ofthe route information pertaining to the above-described route.Therefore, for example, even when the versions of pieces of mapinformation that are respectively used in the first terminal and thesecond terminal are different from each other, it is possible totransfer the route, on which the first terminal provides guidance, tothe second terminal by using the takeover information, so it is possibleto improve the convenience of a user for providing guidance on a route.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a takeoverinformation transmission program according to a fourteenth aspect of theembodiment for causing a computer to execute instructions. Theinstructions include acquiring takeover information for transferring aroute, on which a first terminal provides guidance, to a second terminaldifferent from the first terminal on the basis of route informationpertaining to the route, and transmitting the acquired takeoverinformation.

With the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing thetakeover information transmission program according to the fourteenthaspect, the takeover information for causing the second terminal toprovide guidance on a route corresponding to the route, on which thefirst terminal provides guidance, is acquired on the basis of the routeinformation pertaining to the above-described route. Therefore, forexample, even when the versions of pieces of map information that arerespectively used in the first terminal and the second terminal aredifferent from each other, it is possible to transfer the route, onwhich the first terminal provides guidance, to the second terminal byusing the takeover information, so it is possible to improve theconvenience of a user for providing guidance on a route.

What is claimed is:
 1. A route information transmission systemcomprising: a processor configured to: determine a type of routegeneration used in a first terminal, and a type of route generation usedin a second terminal; determine whether the type of route generationused in the first terminal, and the type of route generation used in thesecond terminal are the same or different; when the type of routegeneration used in the first terminal is the same as the type of routegeneration used in the second terminal, acquire first information; whenthe type of route generation used in the first terminal is differentfrom the type of route generation used in the second terminal, acquiresecond information, the first information and the second informationeach being information for transferring a reproducible route, which thefirst terminal provides guidance from, to the second terminal; andtransmit the acquired information to the second terminal.
 2. The routeinformation transmission system according to claim 1, wherein theacquired information includes information that identifies a branchingguide point in the reproducible route, the branching guide point being abranching point at which a traveling direction changes in thereproducible route.
 3. The route information transmission systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the acquired information includesinformation that identifies an approach direction to or an exitdirection from the branching guide point in the reproducible route. 4.The route information transmission system according to claim 1, whereinthe acquired information includes information that identifies anintersection in the reproducible route.
 5. The route informationtransmission system according to claim 1, wherein the acquiredinformation includes information that identifies a road type of thereproducible route.
 6. The route information transmission systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first information is the acquiredinformation, and the first information includes link identificationinformation of the reproducible route.
 7. The route informationtransmission system according to claim 1, wherein the acquiredinformation includes information that identifies a generation conditionto generate the reproducible route.
 8. The route informationtransmission system according to claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: identify a function of the second terminal forproviding route guidance, and acquire the information on the basis ofthe identified function.
 9. The route information transmission systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the information includes at least one of:information that identifies a branching guide point, information thatidentifies an approach direction to or exit direction from the branchingguide point, information that identifies an intersection, informationthat identifies an approach direction to or exit direction from theintersection, information that identifies a road type, linkidentification information, and information that identifies a routegeneration condition.
 10. A route information transmission devicecomprising: a network communication interface; and a processorconfigured to: determine a type of route information used in a firstterminal, and a type of route information used in a second terminal;determine whether the type of route information used in the firstterminal, and the type of route information used in the second terminalare the same or different; when the type of route information used inthe first terminal is the same as the type of route information used inthe second terminal, acquire first information; when the type of routegeneration used in the first terminal is different from the type ofroute generation used in the second terminal, acquire secondinformation, the first information and the second information each beinginformation for transferring a reproducible route, which the firstterminal provides guidance from, to the second terminal; and transmit,via the network communication interface, the acquired information to thesecond terminal.
 11. An information terminal comprising: a processorconfigured to: determine a type of route generation used in theinformation terminal, and a type of route generation used in anotherinformation terminal; determine whether the type of route generationused in the information terminal, and the type of route generation usedin the other information terminal are the same or different; when thetype of route generation used in the information terminal is the same asthe type of route generation used in the other information terminal,acquire first information; when the type of route generation used in theinformation terminal is different from the type of route generation usedin the other information terminal, acquire second information, the firstinformation and the second information each being information fortransferring a reproducible route, which the information terminalprovides guidance from, to the other information terminal; and transmitthe acquired information to the other information terminal.
 12. A routeinformation transmission method comprising: determining a type of routegeneration used in a first terminal, and a type of route generation usedin a second terminal; determining whether the type of route generationused in the first terminal, and the type of route generation used in thesecond terminal are the same or different; when the type of routegeneration used in the first terminal is the same as the type of routegeneration used in the second terminal, acquiring first information;when the type of route generation used in the first terminal isdifferent from the type of route generation used in the second terminal,acquiring second information, the first information and the secondinformation each being information for transferring a reproducibleroute, which the first terminal provides guidance from, to the secondterminal; and transmitting the acquired information to the secondterminal.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable recording mediumstoring a route information transmission program that includescomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer,cause the computer to: determine a type of route generation used in afirst terminal, and a type of route generation used in a secondterminal; determine whether the type of route generation used in thefirst terminal, and the type of route generation used in the secondterminal are the same or different; when the type of route generationused in the first terminal is the same as the type of route generationused in the second terminal, acquire first information; when the type ofroute generation used in the first terminal is different from the typeof route generation used in the second terminal, acquire secondinformation, the first information and the second information each beinginformation for transferring a reproducible route, which the firstterminal provides guidance from, to the second terminal; and transmitthe acquired information to the second terminal.
 14. A route informationtransmission system comprising: a first terminal configured to set afirst route in a map contained in first map information, and generateand transmit information for reproducing the first route; and a secondterminal configured to: receive the information for reproducing thefirst route that is transmitted from the first terminal, set, based onthe received information for reproducing the first route, a second routein a map contained in second map information, the second routecorresponding to a reproduction of the first route, and control adisplay to display the second route, wherein the information received bythe second terminal is a first type of information when a type of routegeneration used in the first terminal, and a type of route generationused in the second terminal, are the same, and the information receivedby the second terminal is a second type of information when the type ofroute generation used in the first terminal, and the type of routegeneration used in the second terminal, are different.